Fountain

A little fountain I walked past this last Sunday on The Country Club Plaza.  I found no name.




I am back with a new laptop.  I had good backups, but the migration took time.

Firefighters Fountain

These sculptures by Tom Corbin are a memorial to all firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty throughout Kansas City's history.  This memorial was brought about from a tragedy in 1988.  Firefighters were responding to a burning pickup at a construction site.  Several trailers adjacent to the pickup held powerful explosives.  When the fire spread to one of the trailers an explosion instantly killed six firefighters.  It was determined that arsonist set the fire due to a labor dispute.  Five individuals were convicted of arson and murder in 1996.  This case continues to be reviewed and new evidence is discovered.

Winter Fountain

This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago when we had cold days.  Today we hit 66 degrees so I am sure this ice is gone from this fountain.  Kansas City has several fountains that run year round.

Neighborhood Fountain

This fountain runs year round like several in Kansas City.  There is no name on this fountain, it sits in the medium between both sides of the road.    

Barney Allis Plaza Fountain

This fountain is located by the convention center in downtown Kansas City, MO.  The 112 spouts run a block long.  This was taken early morning on my way to work.  

Meyers Circle Fountain

Named The Seahorse Fountain.  JC Nichols developed the Country Club Plaza and this area south of the Plaza.   I displayed many photo of the Plaza in Sept.   JC Nichols found the center piece of this fountain in Venice, Italy where it had stood for 300 years.  He purchased it and the fountain was completed in 1925.   This fountain has survived vandalism and car crashes.

Intercontinental Hotel Fountain

The sound from this fountain is quite relaxing in the middle of hustle and bustle of the Country Club Plaza.

Crown Center Square Fountain

Another fountain.  Hallmark World Headquarter office buildings are in the background.

The Fountain of Bacchus.  Someone was sitting on the Inscription and I waited for quite awhile.  But since this is outside the Cheesecake Factory, my cravings were starting to overwhelm me and I moved on.  

Inscription: CHANDLER COURT, 1967, IN MEMORY OF CLARENCE A. CHANDLER 1872-1963, PIONEER KANSAS CITY FLORIST AND LONGTIME OWNER OF THE FIRST COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE TO OCCUPY THIS SITE.  

Boy and the Frog

One of the favorite fountains on the Plaza.

Neptune Fountain

Interesting bit of history concerning this fountain.  Amazing that it has endured water and weather for 100 years.

What does everyone think of blogger's new design format.  Throws me everytime I go to these screens.

Pomona Fountain

The sun was bright on Sunday and Pomona was looking in the wrong direction.  Also taking the photo looking the other way would have displayed a bright construction barrier and didn't look good.

JC Nichols Fountain

After reaching the high 90's and 100 degrees this last week, our Sunday was a beautiful day, low humidity and temps in the mid 70's.  Everyone was outside today.  Above is the JC Nichols fountain.  Jesse Clyde Nichols was a distinguished commercial and residential real estate developer in Kansas City.  He developed the Country Club Plaza in 1923 as seen in the background.  This was the first suburban shopping center built in the US.  This is a photographic wonderland which I will show you in future post, I hope you do not become tired of this area as tourist and myself love the plaza.  

Weekend Reflection

Since I've been showing fountains this week, I thought I would bring another of the Liberty Memorial fountain which was also shown as my February Theme Day photo.  Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains.  I had thought about going to the Plaza to take photos of the many fountains but when I saw temps expected in the high 90's I changed my mind.

Volker Memorial II

On each side of the sculptures is a pool of fountains.  I explained yesterday that William Volker gave to Kansas City causes and charities.  Most of his donations were anonymous.  Among his donations was 40 acres and a house just south of this fountain that began the University of Kansas City, which is now University of Missouri - Kansas City

William Volker Memorial Fountain

Those who follow this blog know the names of Kauffman and Rockwell Nelson and now I introduce you to another of Kansas City's philanthropist; William Volker.  Born to an affluent German family who moved to Chicago during William's teenage years.  William began working at a picture framing business when he was 17, he took over management of the company when he was 20.  He went looking for a less competitive market with easy availability of wood and moved the company to Kansas City.  The company expanded into window shades and linoleum, quickly became recognized nationally.  He gave away millions to Kansas City causes and charities.  Carl Milles designed the fountain "St Martin and the Beggar.  The story of St Martin of Tours, a soldier, came upon a beggar on a freezing day and gave the man half his cloak.  The beggar was later found to be Jesus.  St Martin is the saint for generosity.  In the background is the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (if you look closely you can see the shuttlecocks), which I showed you many photos in March and April.

Yesterday was KCDP 1st blogday.  I forgot until after I posted my theme day, actually half way through the day.  One year ago I knew nothing about theme days, weekend reflections, Wed doorways or countless other days.  I also knew little about photography but had always wanted to learn more.  One cannot learn without taking photos and it is no fun taking photos for only one set of eyes.  Little did I know how much I would learn about photos and find such a wonderful and I mean wonderful group of friends and yes I consider you all friends.  I have so much more to learn and share, I have barely touched on KC and hope to introduce you to much more.  Thank you for visiting my blog, your comments and for liking my mediocre shots as well as my occasional proud photo.

Shade

This is where I would be in the heat as the kids ran through the fountain.

Keeping Cool

Kids run through this fountain at Crown Center to keep cool on our hot, hot days.  Gradually the fountain shoots much higher. We have been in the high 90's and 100's for the last couple of weeks and add high humidity to that number and we have heat indexes (feels like temperatures) at 105-115.

Children's Fountain II

The girl above is my favorite.  Have a great start to the week.

Children's Fountain NKC

Kansas City has many, many fountains, the Children's Fountain in North Kansas City is one of my favorites.  It was a hot, humid day yesterday when these photos were taken.  The dedication reads: "The bronze figures represent children everywhere to whom this fountain is dedicated and the activities that shape young lives making childhood a joy."